The STF, which a not for profit professional trade body, aims to support members in “achieving and maintaining specific industry standards in health and safety… and to enable schools and students to travel safely with confidence”.

Its members comprise the UK’s largest educational travel providers as well as smaller specialist operators, offering experiences for student and youth travellers from cultural trips to ski or sports adventures.

It said the move to make Abta membership compulsory was designed to “support and protect school travel arrangements”.

Abta has welcomed the news, insisting it would bring together the strengths of both organisations for the benefit of students, teachers, schools and other stakeholders.

Victoria Bacon, Abta director of brand and business said: “With 75% of people looking for an Abta member when they book their own family holiday, knowing that they can do the same for school breaks will give parents and teachers confidence that they are booking with a reputable travel company.

Gill Harvey, chief executive of the School Travel Forum added: “This is a very positive and important step for the School Travel Forum… We also recognise the role Abta has in providing practical help and expertise on travel regulations – such as the upcoming Package Travel Regulations and GDPR – to inform and keep members up to date on what’s required of them in the coming months.”